The Stewards of Reed, Volume 2: The Dungeons of Cetahl by Wark RM

Author:Wark, RM [Wark, RM]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2014-03-03T16:00:00+00:00

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“Why did you come here? Are you a spy?”

Lady Delia regarded the angry man upon the chair of stone sitting in the large, empty throne room. Her body and mind were weak from the endless march.

“No, I am not a spy,” came the defeated reply.

“Then why are you here?”

“I … I had hoped to come with an offer of peace ….” Lady Delia’s voice trailed off, and she glanced nervously at Lady Yelena. The Eastern Wizard responded with a satisfied smile.

“So you claim to be an emissary of the King?” It was clear the Emperor was frustrated.

“Of sorts …,” she began.

“King Huron does not send emissaries!” the Emperor barked. “He sends only ravens … if he even bothers to extend that courtesy.”

My father does not have emissaries? How can that be? She had seen the Eastern emissaries in Mt. Xavier. She had always assumed there were Western emissaries as well.

“You,” the Emperor growled, “are a liar.”

“No, no.” Lady Delia vehemently shook her head. “I … I am the King’s daughter—”

“The King would never be foolish enough to send his own daughter into the hands of his enemy!”

“You misunderstand, Emperor. He does not know I am here.”

For once, Lord Jarek did not interrupt her.

“I … I was angry with my father,” she continued. “I did not believe him … about the East, that is. I wanted to avoid another senseless battle. I had hoped to convince you of a peaceful resolution.”

Lady Delia regarded the Emperor, hopeful that her words might have resonated with him.

“You are not the King – and you have already admitted your anger with the King – so you cannot claim to speak for him. Your words of peace are meaningless,” the Emperor retorted. “So I ask once again, why did you come here? Are you a spy?”

“Lord Jarek, please …,” Lady Delia begged. “I am not a spy. You must believe me.” Tears filled her eyes.

“You have given me no reason to believe you,” he replied.

“But—” she began to protest.

“Perhaps some time in the quiet of the dungeons shall make your mind a bit clearer.”

“Father, do you really believe that is wise?” The words had been spoken softly by a dark-eyed wizard standing beside the Emperor’s chair, but they echoed through the air nonetheless.

The Emperor shot an angry glance at his son, who hung his head low.

“Guards, take her away.”

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